Buildout

Overview

About this trip

Explore Cuba’s unique indigenous species of flora and fauna on this 9-day itinerary. Discover the history and culture of Havana, with its many museums, churches, fortresses, and other buildings under restoration. Despite the revolution and economic hardships endured by the people of Cuba, its botanical gardens, organic farms, private gardens, and agriculture have thrived. Travel to Viñales Valley, one of the most beautiful regions of Cuba, and to Soroa, home to a stunning orchid garden. Evidence of the Cuban population’s passion is apparent at every turn, from their music, dance, love of life, and appreciation of the natural beauty found on this small Caribbean island.

Highlights

Visit a selection of Cuba’s public and private gardens, including the National Botanical Garden of Cuba (home to hundreds of palm species), a family-owned garden in Viñales, and an urban cooperative garden in Havana.

Meet with a staff member and tour the Soroa Orchid Garden, which has 20,000+ plants representing 700 orchid species.

Take guided hikes in Viñales National Park, the valley of the limestone formations known as mogotes.

Explore Old Havana on a walking tour and enjoy a private dance performance.

Stroll through the butterfly house of Quinta de Los Molinos Garden, Cuba’s oldest botanical garden and also a breeding nursery of Polymita spp., a terrestrial and eastern endemic genus of a very colorful mollusk.

19 Travelers

$3,895

Land Cost

Group size

Book 18 travelers and 1 group
leader travels for free

What makes us different

Rich content

All of our programs include experiences that are enriching and engaging to facilitate a genuine connection between our travelers and their destinations

Carbon offsetting

As part of our commitment to sustainable travel, we partner with ClimateSafe to offset the carbon emissions from each journey

Custom-tailored Trips

At Holbrook Travel we can customize any itinerary to meet the needs and goals of your group.

Culture in context

Incorporate history, social institutions, economy, government, and traditions of the destination to put culture in context

Behind the scenes tours

Learn how international gardens are managed during exclusive tours and meetings with garden directors and other horticulture experts

Marketing support and resources

We have all the tools necessary to help you plan, promote and sell your trip

AND MORE!

Havana

Day 1

Early this morning you will check for your flight to Havana. Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver, and transferred to your hotel. You will be able to check-in, change money, and freshen up before dinner at a local Paladar in Old Havana

Dinner included

Overnight at Melia Cohiba or similar

Havana

Day 2

This morning take a guided walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the four plazas in Old Havana: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, and Plaza de Armas. Learn about the ongoing restoration projects throughout Havana, and see the giant model of the city. After lunch at Hemingway’s Old Havana favorite - Sloppy Joes - enjoy a private performance of Danza-Teatro Retazos. This incredibly talented group of dancers and their instructor will amaze and delight you, as they have been doing for audiences not only in Cuba, but internationally in the US and Europe. This evening, dine at the private restaurant La Guarida, which is the location of the Cuban Oscar-nominated film "Strawberry and Chocolate."

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Melia Cohiba or similar

Havana

Day 3

This morning you will visit Alamar Organoponic Gardens. Meet with one of the cooperative owners and learn about the garden's history, accomplishments, and horticultural practices of organoponics in Cuba. You will then be given a guided tour to see the many crops that are grown, and the practices they use. Enjoy lunch at La Terraza de Cojímar, another one of Hemingway's favorite Cuban restaurants. It offers a fabulous view of the Cojímar Bay where Hemingway would go out fishing and where he met the fisherman on which the Old Man and the Sea is based. After returning to Havana this afternoon, you will meet representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) which has created a special unit to promote and support urban agriculture. Agricultural extensionists from MINAGRI advise and disseminate knowledge based on the principles of organic agriculture, and usually play a pivotal role in the start-up and functioning of the popular gardens and horticulture clubs. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Breakfast-Lunch- included

Overnight at Melia Cohiba or similar

Soroa

Day 4

Today begins your travels to Western Cuba, stopping first en route at the National Botanical Garden in the outskirts of Havana. Explore the gardens with a specialist guide from the Garden. She will then join you in your vehicle as you drive the expansive acreage that is the gardens arboretum, featuring trees from many different countries and regions. Enjoy lunch at El Bambú, an ecological restaurant located within the Garden. Continue your journey, stopping for a visit at Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after their 5,000 hectares reforestation project. While at Las Terrazas, visit a local artist and see how he makes his own paper for his paintings. Arrive in Soroa late this afternoon. Dinner is at a local Paladar this evening.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Horizontes Villa Soroa or Casa Particulares

Vinales

Day 5

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Orchid Garden, which is run by the University of Pinar del Río. Meet with a staff member for insight about the garden. The garden also hosts a botanical research center belonging to the University of Pinar del Río. Lunch will be at El Salto restaurant, within walking distance of the orchid garden. After lunch you will travel to Viñales, home of the Mogotes; flat-topped hills dating back to the Jurassic period that can be found in only four countries in the world. Vinales is also famous for its rich soil and agriculture, including tobacco production. Dinner tonight will be at a local Paladar.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines or Casa Particulares

Vinales

Day 6

This morning you will visit the Finca of Raul Reyes. Learn about his crops and how he makes a living in this area. Take a walk on the Cueva de la Vaca trail, which not only goes through Raul's finca, but gives you a chance to see the "Mogotes triad": Bombacopsis cubensis, Gaussla princeps, and Spathelia brittonii. Continue walking to reach the cave entrance, and with a lamp in hand, you can see the bats and at the end, you will be out in Palmarito Valley, surrounded by palms and many species of birds. You will then be taken into town for lunch at a typical café, followed by a visit at a local botanical garden that has been in the family for many years. Located on one acre right in the heart of the neighborhood, this home and garden is a delight, and quite whimsical. Dinner this evening is at a local Paladar located in the hills surrounding Viñales called the Agro Ecologico. Savor all the dishes made with the produce from the land where the restaurant is located.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines or Casa Particulares

Havana

Day 7

Following breakfast and check out, you will head to the coast, your destination; Cayo Jutias, a lovely playa with turquoise water and beautiful coastlines. En route, you will have the opportunity to view the typical life outside the cities, often seeing horse-drawn carts and interesting homes. Once you get to the beach, you can decide if you’d like to walk to the end of the caye, rest under the palm trees with a cerveza, or enjoy a wonderful swim. After about an hour or two of relaxation, lunch will be served at the seaside restaurant located right at the beach. There are restrooms in this area if you would like to change out of your swimsuit. After your meal, you will travel back to Havana, taking time for a nap or a chance to take pictures of the views on the way. This time, you will be staying in Old Havana at a centrally located Colonial-style hotel. This evening, dinner is on own.

Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner included

Overnight at Hotel Sevilla or similar

Havana

Day 8

This morning you will visit the oldest Botanic Garden of Cuba, Quinta de Los Molinos Garden. It was founded in 1864, and has a butterfly house as well as a breeding nursery of Polymita spp., a terrestrial and eastern endemic genus of a very colorful mollusk. After your visit, you will have the remainder of the day to explore on your own. You may wish to check out the San José crafts market, Havana's main enclosed local arts and crafts market and cultural fair, housed in the restored and renovated historic San José warehouses, originally built in the 1880s. Or perhaps take in a museum or two. Tonight, enjoy a very special farewell dinner and spectacular show at the famous Tropicana.

Breakfast-Dinner included

Overnight at Hotel Sevilla or similar

Depart

Day 9

This morning you will be transferred to the Havana International airport for your late afternoon flight home.

Breakfast- included

Pricing

19 Travelers

$3,895

Land Cost

Group size

Book 18 travelers and 1 group
leader travels for free

What's included

Activities and meals as mentioned in itinerary

Bottled water or water refill station during transfers

Full time expert horticulture guide for the duration of your program

Non alcoholic beverage with meals

Tips for the guide and driver

What's not included

International airfare

Trip cancellation coverage

Visa fees

Pricing details:

Rates are based on double occupancy for participants.

Complimentary leader accommodations are based on share occupancy; leaders of same gender are expected to share rooms.

Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens need a valid passport and a tourist card to enter Cuba. Passports must be valid at least six months after the date of entry.

Holbrook Travel will purchase and provide tourist cards. Please keep your tourist card with your passport as it will need to be returned to the Cuban authorities when departing Havana.

Unless collected in advance by the charter service, a departure tax of CUC $25 is collected when exiting Cuba’s international airport and is payable only in Cuban convertible pesos. This is subject to change without notice. If the departure tax was not included you will be advised upon confirmation of charter services.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Cuba, unless you are traveling from an endemic yellow fever area within six weeks prior to entry.

ZIKA VIRUS

Locally transmitted cases of Zika virus have been reported in Cuba. Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with Zika and are spreading it to people. The CDC recommends that travelers to Cuba protect themselves from mosquito bites. As a precaution, the CDC advises women who are pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

SUN EXPOSURE

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.

Resources

Suggested Packing List

CLOTHING

Several short-sleeved shirts/blouses and at least one lightweight, long-sleeved shirt for sun/mosquito protection

Shorts for the field and in towns

Pants (lightweight cotton), for protection against mosquitoes

Sundresses/skirts

Lightweight jacket/poncho or sweater/cardigan

Undergarments and socks

Swimsuit(s) and towel

Shoes: a pair of comfortable walking shoes and sandals or Reef Runners for around your hotel or at the beach

Hat or sun visor

Rain poncho and/or travel umbrella

MISCELLANEOUS

Binoculars and lens cleaner

Flashlight

Camera and extra batteries/memory cards

A small daypack

Photocopies of all documentation, passport, and tickets

Prescription drugs and a copy of the prescription

Sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, sunglasses

Insect repellant

Reusable water bottle

Reading material, playing cards, etc. for downtime

In addition to your toiletries, it is useful to pack a small medical kit, which you can easily prepare. Helpful items include bandages, insect repellant, antihistamine, a pain-reliever, individually wrapped moist towlettes, anti-diarrhea medicine, anti-fungal cream, and an extra pair of disposable contact lenses or eyeglasses if you wear them.